Newcastle United Women 3-0 Nottingham Forest Women (Friendly) 25.04.21
It was a long day for Andy Cook and Nottingham Forest Women as they made the 320 miles round trip to the north east, and Newcastle United Women, falling to a 3-0 defeat against a strong, determined side that was masterminded by Becky Langley.
United were seen to weather any early threat which Forest posed, and then, when it mattered most, caught their visitors cold.
After a strong, opening ten minutes, from both sides, battling for early difference, it would be the home sides’ Imogen Longcake, who’d be both an early threat, and prove to be a constant thorn throughout, regularly testing the Forest backline.
It was a backline that, during the first half, was well-marshalled by captain Lyndsey Harkin, but chances though, they were minimal early on, both ‘keepers quipping themselves well to repel any attempts; the hosts sending a couple of opportunities high and wide.
Visiting manager, Cook, made several changes late in the first period, and his defence, holding a high line at times, were working the ball well, Cook and James proving effective in their movement and positional awareness.
However, as the half wore on, the hosts would strike first, their number nine, Katie Barker, pouncing on a back-pass, took on the advancing Aja Aguirre, and slotting home for an interval lead.
The second period started akin to that of the first, both sides looking to gain a stranglehold on the game and, after Cook made his second set of changes of that second half, whilst they were still adjusting, the home side would strike again.
Longcake was again heavily involved and her precision run, and cross, caused confusion in the Forest backline and the ball was turned past Aguirre by one of her own, the goal affording a much-needed cushion.
Increasing the pressure on Forest, and with a little over five minutes remaining, a third was added by the hosts when Aguirre, looking to clear up at the back, was given little option and was adjudged to foul the oncoming, home attacker, Rhiannon Gray taking the penalty and sending the visiting ‘keeper the wrong way, that wrapping up a 3-0 home win for Newcastle United.
It was to be a first loss in four outings, post-season, for Forest, who will regroup, quickly, and go again on Wednesday night when they travel to Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Forest: Aja Aguirre, Grace Walters, Lyndsey Harkin, Olivia Cook, Laura Dexter (Sophie Tudor 36), Charlotte Steggles (Niamh Reynolds 36), Hayley James, Sydnie Naylor (Bolu Fisher, 36), Charlotte Greengrass (Mai Moncaster, 36), Rosie Axten (Katie Middleton 36), Annabel McKechnie (Alice Higginbottom, 56).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Tynside_NUWFC action between the two teams on a sunny Sunday in the North East.
